Nonito Donaire Vs Guillermo Rigondeaux: BOXING SHOWDOWN SATURDAY NIGHT in NYC – HBO Boxing News
By Geno McGahee
This Saturday night, Nonito Donaire, 31-1, 20 KO’s, takes on his toughest challenge in the Guillermo Rigondeaux, 11-0, 8 KO’s, in a super bantamweight unifier of the WBO and WBA brands, but this fight is for more than a title. This bout has bad blood written all over it and it will be the pivotal point in the career of Donaire. If he wins, he will solidify his spot in boxing as one of the pound for pound best. If he loses, a new star is born.
Donaire has been a safe bet, but there is a strong horse in this race but this is not a bet on Kentucky Derby. This will be an all out war between two of the sports best.
In 2007, Donaire made his presence known with a knockout of superstar, Vic Darchinyan for the flyweight title. He would defend that title three times before moving up to super flyweight in 2009. In 2011, a crushing second round knockout of Fernando Montiel would secure the WBC and WBO bantamweight titles, and in 2012, we would see Donaire make a move up to the super bantamweight division and win the WBO version with a decision over Wilfredo Vazquez, JR. He has defended that title three times going into this unification bout.
Rigondeaux had a great amateur career, winning gold medals in the 2000 and 2004 games for Cuba and is a 7-time Cuban national champion. This experience has allowed him to move rapidly in boxing, winning a world title in only his ninth fight. His last five victories came over fighters with a collective record of 107 wins, 4 losses, and 4 draws. He has been beating some very good fighters, but now he is in for the fight of his life with Donaire.
What makes Donaire a slight favorite here is his mobility. The two both have power, but Donaire has shown the ability to switch from boxer to puncher and use movement when he needs to. He will need to. Rigondeaux just appears to be a tough guy in there and although he has been down and can be hit, he’s not the type of guy that Donaire should stand in front of the entire night.
This Saturday night, one of the best fights that could have been made in boxing has been made. Donaire had said in the past that Rigondeaux didn’t earn a shot, which made some speculate that he was ducking him. This fight may have been made to silence those critics. It could go either way and it will be a battle for as long as it lasts.